[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 160 (Friday, August 17, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49782-49783]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-20242]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
United States Patent and Trademark Office
[Docket No.: PTO-C-2011-0041]
Extension of the Application Deadline for Humanitarian Awards
Pilot Program
AGENCY: United States Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In February 2012, the United States Patent and Trademark
Office (USPTO) announced the Humanitarian Awards Pilot Program, which
recognizes patent holders who use their technology for humanitarian
purposes. In response to stakeholder feedback, the USPTO is extending
the deadline for applications to the Humanitarian Awards Pilot Program
by two months until October 31, 2012, to allow potential applicants
more time to complete their applications.
DATES: Effective Date: August 17, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Office of Policy and External Affairs,
by telephone at (571) 272-9300; or by mail addressed to: Patents for
Humanity Program, Office of Policy and External Affairs, United States
Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450;
or by email to [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In February, the USPTO initiated a pilot
program which recognizes patent holders who use their technology for
humanitarian purposes, called the Humanitarian Awards Pilot Program
(``the Pilot'', also known as Patents for Humanity). See Humanitarian
Awards Pilot Program, 77 FR 6544 (Feb. 8, 2012). The original deadline
for applications to the Pilot was August 31, 2012, with selection and
awards to follow.
While conducting outreach to our user community we have received
much feedback on the Pilot, including a number of requests to extend
the deadline for filing applications past August 31. Among the reasons
given, applicants have said that they are engaged in qualifying work
which will not be complete before the deadline; or they do not have
enough time to complete an application before the deadline.
In response to these requests, the USPTO is extending the
application deadline for the Humanitarian Awards Pilot Program until
October 31, 2012. After the application deadline, selections will be
made as described in
[[Page 49783]]
the February notice, with the goal of completing the recommendation
process within 90 days. Awards will be made thereafter. The other terms
of the program remain unchanged.
Dated: August 13, 2012.
David J. Kappos,
Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of
the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
[FR Doc. 2012-20242 Filed 8-16-12; 8:45 am]
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